The scriptures before us this morning are rich with awakenings to God’s ways.
Elijah, the Tishbite, steps from the safety of a cave to meet God. God is not in the wind, earthquake or fire. Instead God is revealed in the sound of sheer silence (1 Kings 19:12b).
Peter, the Rock, having recovered from the sight of Jesus walking on water, asks to join Jesus. As Peter set out across the water the wind distracted him and he began to sink He cried out, “Lord save me!” (Matt 14:30c) And sure enough, Jesus grabs him.
I’ve preached on these passages. Some of my best work About Elijah at a Pella High Baccalaureate. Just 3 years ago – Bishop Hougen heard about the sermon I preached on Peter’s water-walk – he asked for a copy.
The passage I bring to your attention this morning is our second reading from the 10th chapter of Romans. This text and I also have a history. In 1971 Professor Poovey assigned this text to me for my very first sermon at seminary (presumably a simple text for a first year student) … I earned the grade of D+ – it was a very poorly written sermon.
This passage from Romans 10 summarizes Paul's concern for the people of Israel, the Jews, who had not accepted that Jesus is the promised Messiah: the savior. But the Jews, Paul's people, are people of the promise. God had made a covenant with them and promised the savior Jesus is the Savior. So what about the Jews? Will they be saved?
Have you been asked that? Are you saved? I've been asked, "Do you think so-and-so is saved?" Paul's teaching is very clear. Don't wonder who is saved – ascending. Don't wonder who is not saved – descending. "The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart".
He then expands this to a confident announcement. if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved (Rm. 10:9).Are you saved? Yes you are. Do think you know someone who is not saved? Paul doesn't go there – we shouldn't either. Paul is certain about the way of salvation.he has no revelation for the way of condemnation. He announces clearly For, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Rm. 10:13).
So simple – Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Many years ago a woman named Patsy came to my office. She was in tears. I asked why she was crying. She explained that her neighbors had just loaded up the moving van and had set out for their new home in Texas to find jobs. "They must have been good friends," I said. "Yes, yes, they were good friends. I'll miss them. But pastor, I didn't tell them." "You didn't tell them? Do you mean you didn't tell them what good friends they are to you?" "No, no Pastor. Bill and I didn't tell them about Jesus. We don't think they know Jesus is their savior."
This is exactly Paul's concern, how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? (Rm. 10:14a)They need to believe.how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? (Rm. 10:14b)They need to hear.how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? (Rm. 10:14c)Someone has to tell them.how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? (Rm. 10:15)Someone needs to send witnesses.
So of course "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" (Rm. 10:15b) Beautiful feet. This is not a podiatrist's observation.These are the feet of ones who have heard and believed.These are Maundy Thursday feet – feet obedient to the Love Command given by Jesus.On the night before his crucifixion Jesus left the table before the meal began.He knelt before each disciple; removed their sandals; and washed their feet.Yes, Jesus is the king that washes feet. Foot-washing was the way he showed the way of selfless love a sign of obedience to the love command.Since then foot-washing has been ritualized in the church on Holy Thursday.Members of the Church of the Brethren wash each others' feet more frequently as part of their worship.
Foot-washing doesn't make feet beautiful. Foot-washing humbles one while refreshing another. The overwhelming instinct, when having your feet washed, is an urge to wash the feet of others.Having one's feet washed leads to becoming a foot washer.This is why I've titled the sermon Feet: Maundy to Mission. The Maundy is the mandate to love one another. Having been so unconditionally loved,as at our foot washing, leads us to mission.You will want others to experience the same thing.
Last week I heard of a comment made at a listening post in anticipation of our Churchwide Assembly that begins tomorrow in Orlando, Florida.Someone said, I'm paraphrasing, "Yes Jesus died for everyone that they might be saved, but they have to repent." Wonder with me, What saves us? The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.Or our repenting of our sin? Is Christ's unconditional love or our repentance? Jesus does the saving.We don't.
I'll be more specific. In my preparation for this morning, as is my custom, I sat with this passage from Romans. I read it over and over and over again. And I tried to visualize the beautiful feet. I imagine a messenger coming down out of mountain mist.The feet would be seen first.Naw, that's not it. Then I imagined a group of people standing in a circle with their heads down. A worrying group; maybe a grieving group. And then the messenger quietly joins the circle. They see the feet; Then they hear the voice. Then they hear the message of good news. Their heads go up. They leave the circle and go find others to tell the news.
That's the point of this passage. Once we hear the good news of Jesus Christ, We tell others because we want them to share in the good news that's our mission at Peace Lutheran.We are committed to loving others and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.
Our motivation is not fear of hell fire. Our motivation is gratitude. Believing then we of course want everyone to hear the good news of Jesus Christ and believe in him.
How much does a person have to believe to be saved? Maybe as much as a muster seed – a tiny bit? Maybe as much as trying to walk on water – a miraculous amount? That's silly – believing can't measured. Believing either is or isn't.
How we live out our believing is our mission – our mission: that everybody knows.
Please, please be confident in your salvation. Think of it – eternal life – free – rejoice in knowing. "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." That's you. Let's make sure the neighbors know before they move.